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Note: To read the entire report; click on the link below.

ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

Weekly Piracy Report
2-8 September 2008

The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 2 to 8 September 2008.

ALERT

Gulf of Aden
Masters using the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) while transiting the Gulf of Aden are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24 hour look out using all available means to get an early warning of an approaching threat. Early indication of a piratical incident will enable the master to contact the Coalition Navies, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and respond appropriately to prevent boarding.

Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong

Suspicious crafts

None reported
Recently reported incidents

07.09.2008: 2345 LT: Lagos anchorage, Nigeria.
Four pirates boarded a container ship drifting from the poop deck. Pirates hit the duty watchman causing minor head injuries. Pirates escaped with ship’s stores. Port control informed via VHF. Later, the ship moved 30nm away from fairway buoy.

07.09.2008: 1020UTC: Posn: 12:46N - 045:54E: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates, in two speedboats, chased a bulk carrier underway. Owners contacted the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) for assistance. Duty officer at the PRC immediately informed the authorities to render necessary assistance and relayed the same to the master. Master advised to enforce anti piracy measures to delay / prevent boarding. The authorities advised the Centre that every effort was being made to send assistance to the vessel. At 1343, UTC master reported that pirate boats had stopped chasing and that vessel was continuing passage to destination port.

06.09.2008: 0950 UTC: Posn: 12:54.9N – 047:05.1E: Gulf of Aden.
A blue-hulled vessel was spotted at a range of 6 nm by a tanker underway. A small speed craft was released from the mother vessel and it started approaching the tanker. Alarm raised, speed increased, coalition warship contacted. Speedboat, with five persons armed with machine guns opened fire. When coalition warship and navy helicopter arrived, speedboat aborted attack and moved towards mother vessel. Tanker sustained damages. No injuries to crew. Tanker continued passage.

06.09.2008: 0707 UTC: Posn: 12:57.8N - 047:01.6E, Gulf of Aden.
About six pirates armed with RPG in a white speedboat approached a LPG tanker underway. Alarm raised, foghorn sounded, crew mustered and chief officer directed fire hose towards the boat. The pirates signalled to reduce speed and pointed RPG at the chief officer, who dropped the fire hose and entered the accommodation. Master increased ship speed to maximum and took evasive manoeuvres by giving large helm orders. This resulted in the speedboat rolling heavily, causing four pirates to fall overboard. The speedboat recovered the pirates and resumed chasing the tanker again. Mayday broadcast made and SSAS activated. UKMTO Dubai and IMB Piracy Reporting Centre informed. The Centre immediately informed the coalition forces. The speedboat came close to the tanker, but later gave up the chase and met up with a pirate mother vessel that was a raft with an orange cover. A passing ship informed that coalition warships were proceeding for assistance and were calling the tanker on VHF.

05.09.2008: 0510 UTC: Posn: 12:57.5N - 047:04.0E, Gulf of Aden.
A general cargo ship underway, noticed a blue coloured tug suspected to be a pirate mother vessel, towing a small boat. The small boat suddenly proceeded at high speed and approached the ship. D/O raised alarm and crew mustered. Four pirates, armed with RPG and automatic weapons fired at the ship in an attempt to board. Master increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres. Crew activated fire hoses and threw hard objects to hit the pirates. Pirates kept on firing at the ship and at 0600 UTC the pirates gave up the attempt and fled.

03.09.2008: 0930 LT: Posn: 14:27N - 049:40E, Off Al Mukalla, Yemeni coast, Gulf of Aden.
12 pirates, armed with automatic guns and RPG in a small high-speed craft attacked, boarded and hijacked a ship along with her 25 crewmembers. They stole crew personal belongings and all cash onboard. Further details are awaited.

03.09.2008: 1450 UTC: Posn: 13:36.8N - 049:13.16E: Gulf of Aden.
Two small boats attempted to board a bulk carrier underway. Vessel increased speed and altered course to prevent boarding. The boats aborted attempt to board and moved away. A coalition warship arrived at location.

02.09.2008: 1853 UTC: Posn: 11:48.42N - 050:32.00E, Gulf of Aden.
A yacht enroute from Cocos (Keeling) islands to Aden, Yemen has been attacked and hijacked by pirates. Further details are awaited.

30.08.2008: 2300 LT: Posn: 06:48.6S – 039:32.3E, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Five robbers armed with knives boarded a container ship at berth. Two of the pirates tried to attack the duty AB on the forecastle, who informed the duty officer. Alarm raised and main engine started. Crew mustered. On hearing the ships whistle, the pirates released the duty AB and jumped overboard. No stores were stolen and no crew was injured. Port control was informed.

23.06.2008: off Somali coast, Somalia.
Pirates attacked and hijacked a yacht underway. They kidnapped its three crew members and held them on land for ransom. It is believed a ransom was paid for the safe release of the crew. All three crewmembers arrived safely in their respective countries. The yacht was believed to have been abandoned. A full report is awaited from the authorities.